The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51A or NGC 5194) and (M51B or NGC 5195, left). The Whirlpool Galaxy is a grand-design spiral galaxy, interacting with NGC 5195, a dwarf galaxy. Both galaxies are located 23 ± 4 million light-years away in Canes Venatici.

A composite image of M51, called the Whirlpool Galaxy, 30 million light years from Earth and 60 thousand light years across. The original images were taken with a telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory, and the Hubble Space Telescope. (Photo: NASA via The Telegraph)

Amazing New X-Ray Image of the Whirlpool Galaxy Shows it is Dotted with Black Holes (Universe Today)

Amazing New X-Ray Image of the Whirlpool Galaxy Shows it is Dotted with Black Holes Read more: http://www.universetoday.com/112332/amazing-new-x-ray-image-of-the-whirlpool-galaxy-shows-it-is-dotted-with-black-holes/#ixzz33jhi5GOE

The Whirlpool Galaxy is a classic spiral galaxy. At only 30 million light years distant and fully 60 thousand light years across, M51, also known as NGC 5194, is one of the brightest and most picturesque galaxies on the sky.

M51: The Whirlpool Galaxy (June 2 2012) Image Credit & Copyright: Marco Burali, Tiziano Capecchi, Marco Mancini (Osservatorio MTM) Follow the handle of the Big Dipper away from the dipper's bowl until you get to the handle's last bright star. Then, just slide your telescope a little south and west and you might find this stunning pair of interacting galaxies, the 51st entry in Charles Messier famous catalog. (...) #astronomy